Using Sensory Elements in Story
3/30/2026 | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
This activity brings deeper engagement with a book with sensory elements and role playing.
Providing sensory elements, and opportunity for role-playing, can create deeper engagement with a book. Many books are designed for sensory exploration with textures, flaps or sounds incorporated within the pages. In addition, invite a young reader to act out movements from the book, known as story dramatization. These activities enhance literacy by improving comprehension and vocabulary.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Learning to Read is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Funding for LEARNING TO READ is provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Using Sensory Elements in Story
3/30/2026 | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Providing sensory elements, and opportunity for role-playing, can create deeper engagement with a book. Many books are designed for sensory exploration with textures, flaps or sounds incorporated within the pages. In addition, invite a young reader to act out movements from the book, known as story dramatization. These activities enhance literacy by improving comprehension and vocabulary.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Learning to Read
Learning to Read is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- In reading, deeper engagement can happen when you add simple sensory moments, something particularly helpful for children with special needs.
- "Momma Cat has three kittens."
Oh, do you wanna feel Momma Cat?
Oh, she's so soft.
- Many books are designed for sensory exploration with textures, flaps, or sounds built in.
You can make your own sensory pages using safe materials your child enjoys.
Try taping felt to a page so your child can feel the fur or offer a piece of sandpaper if the characters walk on sand.
- "She digs in the sand."
Ready?
Dig, dig, dig.
- Invite them to act out feelings or movements from the book to bring the story to life.
Sensory elements help build vocabulary for feelings, textures, and colors, and make books fun.
- What is Boris doing?
- [Speaker] Boris naps.
- [Instructor] Oh look, he's sleeping.
- [Narrator] Sponsored by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, helping build literary skills and encouraging parents and children to spend 20 minutes a day reading together.
- Science and Nature
Explore scientific discoveries on television's most acclaimed science documentary series.
- Science and Nature
Capturing the splendor of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice.
Support for PBS provided by:
Learning to Read is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Funding for LEARNING TO READ is provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation